Another week goes by and the storylines just continue to be written. The division races are going in opposite directions, but the roster moves have started in earnest, and the Cal League has seen elite talent move out and move in this week. Here’s a quick look and some observations:
BLAZE EXTEND NORTH DIVISION LEAD
Last week at this time the Visalia Rawhide found itself in a tailspin of six-straight losses and that turned to seven-straight on Saturday. But a Sunday win over High Desert was the first of three for the Rawhide and the club won tonight to make it four wins in their last six games. Nevertheless, the Bakersfield Blaze went one better and stretched their lead to five full games in the standings. Bako’s making a strong case for the first-half title.
STATUS QUO FOR THE BIG-3 IN THE SOUTH
The compelling 3-team pileup at the top of the South division saw no change as Lake Elsinore, High Desert and Lancaster all checked in tonight at 21-15. (Am I crazy, or do Lancaster and High Desert play each other every night? Just a scheduling anomaly this early season?). There’s no telling how this first-half race will end up.
MOVIN’ ON
RHP Jimmie Sherfy stopped by the Cal League long enough to let a few hitters know he’s a very uncomfortable AB for them. With his quirky delivery and mid-t0-high 90’s fastball, Sherfy came out of the Visalia bullpen 11 times and mostly ran roughshod over opposing batters. In 11 IP, Sherfy allowed six hits while walking five and striking out 23. Last night the Southern League got a taste of Sherfy’s stuff as he posted a clean inning and struck out two batters.
RHP Mike Hauschild appeared in eight games for the Lancaster Jethawks before being promoted to AA Corpus Christi. The Dayton, OH native had four starts and four relief appearances for the Jethawks.
OF Brennan Gowens made the move from Inland Empire to the AA Arkansas Travelers this week. Gowens is 3-for10 in his first three AA games with a walk and a run scored.
NEW FACES
The Sherfy promotion opened up a spot on Visalia’s roster for RHP Aaron Blair, the Diamondbacks’ #5 prospect by Baseball America’s rankings and #3 by MLB.com’s. A first-round pick in 2013, Blair impressed in his Cal League debut last night with seven strong innings against Stockton.
RHP Michael Clevinger joined Inland Empire this week from the loA Burlington Bees and had a good outing against Bakersfield on Wednesday night. Clevinger was a fourth-round pick in 2011 and is ranked as the Angels’ #17 prospect.
For all the player movement involving the California League teams, go the Transactions page.
WEEKEND MATCHUPS
Inland Empire @ San Jose
Visalia @ Bakersfield
Lancaster @ High Desert
Rancho Cucamonga @ Lake Elsinore
Stockton @ Modesto
Saturday night features a stellar matchup in Lake Elsinore as Rancho’s Julio Urias (Dodgers’ #3 prospect) squares off with reigning Cal League Pitcher of the Week Joe Ross.
I’ll likely be in Visalia to see the Rawhide’s Brandon Sinnery face Bakersfield’s Drew Cisco. If Visalia is going to cut into Bakersfield’s lead, now’s the time to do it with a head-to-head matchup in Bako.
